Wednesday, April 17, 2013

12:52 PM

Rep. Joe Sanfelippo said today he's not shocked by the controversy over allegedly improper negotiations with employees by Milwaukee County, saying it's "further evidence that helps my case" as the Assembly prepares to take up a bill to overhaul the county board.

"I think we see a pattern here where the board sees themselves as above the law," the West Allis Republican -- and former county board member -- said in a press conference ahead of today's floor session.

Sanfelippo reiterated that the reforms he's proposed are more than a decade in the making, and dismissed concerns about issues of local control and checks and balances between the board and county executive.

"Milwaukee County is the exception, not the norm, when it comes to the way counties operate throughout the state,” Sanfelippo said.

Rep. Joan Ballweg, R-Marksan, also touted legislation regulating fees for dental services as the result of months of negotiation between the Wisconsin Dental Association and insurance companies.

"Dentists shouldn't be footing the bill for things that ... insurance companies aren't paying for,” Ballweg said. She said the bill would prevent the shifting of unnecessary costs onto patients, and is necessary since individual dentists have no way to band together to address needed changes.

"Sometimes it's up to the government to step in to make sure that the playing field is fair," added Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester.